What we’re about
We envision a vibrant and healthy Gold Butte landscape where the land and wildlife, cultural resources, and solitude are preserved and accessible for the enjoyment of current and future generations. Our mission is to promote the responsible enjoyment of the Gold Butte National Monument through education, stewardship, advocacy, and preservation of natural and cultural resources.
We often schedule hikes, tours, and stewardship projects. Join the group and then join us in Gold Butte!
Upcoming events (3)
See all- DAY 1 of 2 Bioblitz Virgin River Watershed Fall 25At the kiosk, Mesquite, NV
This Meetup is for DAY 1 of a two day event. If you wish to participate on DAY 2 as well, please signup again via Meetup (Day 2 of 2).
Friends of Gold Butte (FoGB) is partnering with the Virgin River Coalition (VRC) and hosting a bioblitz focused on the Virgin River Watershed. Help document the organisms and contribute to the body of scientific data that will promote the understanding of the local ecology and the changing environment.
We will meet at the Kiosk near Riverside at 8:30 AM for sign in and a safety briefing. Participants will be formed into small teams and guided by an experienced Volunteer Leader. The teams will be given a specific path/area hike to document all the species you see. Hiking distances will vary depending on the strength of the group. Some may go only a flat one mile round trip, while another may go 5 miles with numerous elevation changes. See the attached satellite photo for locations and distances. Please keep in mind, the number and quality of the data collected is the focus of this event. A thorough 1 mile collection is just as important as a 5 miler.
At 3:30 PM, the event concludes for the day. Participants are asked to download their observations prior to leaving. Participants may choose to stay in the area and camp nearby for the night. But all logistical requirements must be met by the participants. FoGB/VRC are not able to assume any evening/camping responsibilities during this bioblitz. Please notify/check with the event host or your team leader that you are leaving so that we may collect your observations and account for you.
The phone app we will use to collect the data is called iNaturalist. Participants must download the free app and create a free user profile prior to the event. A class is scheduled for (TBD) at Hafen Park. Please sign up via MEETUP. There are also numerous tutorial videos on using the app on the iNaturalist website and on Youtube. You can download the app for android phones at:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.inaturalist.android&hl=en_US
or for iphones at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/inaturalist/id421397028
Travel to some of the trailheads include gravel roads. 4x4 high clearance is recommend for those hikes, but they may be reached by a AWD high clearance vehicle.
Please wear sturdy shoes, breathable clothes, and a hat. Don't forget to bring sunscreen, water, lunch, and snacks. There are no stores or facilities near the data collection areas; be prepared to pee in the bushes. We practice Leave No Trace ethics so be prepared to carry out everything you bring in.
If you register for this hike and find you are unable to attend, please be courteous and remove yourself from the "going" list. If you are unable to do this, please email or call to let us know, so someone from the waitlist is able to attend. When signing up, please provide your phone number and please confirm that you have downloaded iNaturalist on your phone.
The data collection areas are semi-primitive. Cell phone service may have a weak signal at best. Participants must bring and carry their own water, food, sunscreen, basic first-aid items, any medications (e.g., EpiPen or asthma inhalers, etc.) a participant may need, and any other supplies they may want while participating in the event. Participants must wear appropriate footwear. Closed-toe shoes or boots would be appropriate. Participants are strongly encouraged to wear broad-brimmed hats and dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Participants are reminded to be plant and animal aware at all times. Finally, if the event necessitates, participants are strongly encouraged to provide their medical information (pre-existing conditions, medications, etc.) and their Emergency Contact information (name and phone number) on a card or piece of paper in a sealed envelope with their name on the outside. The volunteer organizer will collect and hold the envelopes during the event and return them, unopened, at the conclusion of the event if they are not needed; and the assumption of risk statement found at In-person Assumption of Risk - DAY 2 of 2 Bioblitz Virgin River Watershed Fall 25At the kiosk, Mesquite, NV
This Meetup is for DAY 2 of a two day event. If you wish to participate on DAY 1 as well, please signup again via Meetup (Day 1 of 2).
Friends of Gold Butte (FoGB) is partnering with the Virgin River Coalition (VRC) and hosting a bioblitz focused on the Virgin River Watershed. Help document the organisms and contribute to the body of scientific data that will promote the understanding of the local ecology and the changing environment.
We will meet at the Kiosk near Riverside at 8:30 AM for sign in and a safety briefing. Participants will be formed into small teams and guided by an experienced Volunteer Leader. The teams will be given a specific path/area hike to document all the species you see. Hiking distances will vary depending on the strength of the group. Some may go only a flat one mile round trip, while another may go 5 miles with numerous elevation changes. See the attached satellite photo for locations and distances. Please keep in mind, the number and quality of the data collected is the focus of this event. A thorough 1 mile collection is just as important as a 5 miler.
At 3:30 PM, the event concludes for the day. Participants are asked to download their observations prior to leaving. Participants may choose to stay in the area and camp nearby for the night. But all logistical requirements must be met by the participants. FoGB/VRC are not able to assume any evening/camping responsibilities during this bioblitz. Please notify/check with the event host or your team leader that you are leaving so that we may collect your observations and account for you.
The phone app we will use to collect the data is called iNaturalist. Participants must download the free app and create a free user profile prior to the event. A class is scheduled for (TBD) at Hafen Park. Please sign up via MEETUP. There are also numerous tutorial videos on using the app on the iNaturalist website and on Youtube. You can download the app for android phones at:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.inaturalist.android&hl=en_US
or for iphones at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/inaturalist/id421397028
Travel to some of the trailheads include gravel roads. 4x4 high clearance is recommend for those hikes, but they may be reached by a AWD high clearance vehicle.
Please wear sturdy shoes, breathable clothes, and a hat. Don't forget to bring sunscreen, water, lunch, and snacks. There are no stores or facilities near the data collection areas; be prepared to pee in the bushes. We practice Leave No Trace ethics so be prepared to carry out everything you bring in.
If you register for this hike and find you are unable to attend, please be courteous and remove yourself from the "going" list. If you are unable to do this, please email or call to let us know, so someone from the waitlist is able to attend. When signing up, please provide your phone number and please confirm that you have downloaded iNaturalist on your phone.
The data collection areas are semi-primitive. Cell phone service may have a weak signal at best. Participants must bring and carry their own water, food, sunscreen, basic first-aid items, any medications (e.g., EpiPen or asthma inhalers, etc.) a participant may need, and any other supplies they may want while participating in the event. Participants must wear appropriate footwear. Closed-toe shoes or boots would be appropriate. Participants are strongly encouraged to wear broad-brimmed hats and dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Participants are reminded to be plant and animal aware at all times. Finally, if the event necessitates, participants are strongly encouraged to provide their medical information (pre-existing conditions, medications, etc.) and their Emergency Contact information (name and phone number) on a card or piece of paper in a sealed envelope with their name on the outside. The volunteer organizer will collect and hold the envelopes during the event and return them, unopened, at the conclusion of the event if they are not needed; and the assumption of risk statement found at In-person Assumption of Risk
